CYCLE HOLIDAY ESSENTIALS

Total Days Cycling

3 - 5 Days

Cycle Holiday Length

176 Miles/282 Kms

Cycle Route Difficulty

Moderate

HOLIDAY OVERVIEW

Starting from Newcastle or Tynemouth, the Coast & Castles Cycle Route follows the eastern coastline through Northumberland, past Warkworth Castle, Bamburgh Castle, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, up to the fortified Scottish border town of Berwick upon Tweed.

From here you stay along the rugged and rural east coast, through Eyemouth, Dunbar, North Berwick to the imposing city of Edinburgh.

This route can be ridden from North to South as easily as from South to North.

The whole purpose of this ride is not to put in as many miles as you can each day, but to enjoy the beauty and history that surrounds you. The whole area has a history of feudal warfare dating back over a thousand years, you will still see the legacy of this in the castles and fortified farms (Bastles) that still stand today on both sides of the border.

One of the highlights of this ride is to spend a night on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne (tide dependant) This island is cut off by the tides twice a day, however when the tide is low there is a causeway that you can ride across on to the island, which has small hotels, pubs, cafes, shops and a small number of rentable rooms. When on the island you must sample the local “mead”

Cycle Route Highlights

As well as stunning scenery around every corner, up the west coast and heading eastwards over the moorlands towards Newcastle, there are many places of historical interest to stop and see, a few of which are listed below:

Tynemouth Priory

Druridge Bay

Warkworth Castle

Alnmouth – Beach

Alnwick Castle and Gardens (slightly off route)

Dunstanburgh Castle and Harbour, Craster

Low Newton by the sea

Bamburgh Castle

Lindisfarne Castle & Monastery, Holy Island

Berwick Walls

Paxton House

Norham Castle

Edinburgh Castle

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Fully Supported Holiday

Full support throughout your trip, our fully trained tour guide will meet you at various points along the route to ensure everyone is okay, supply you with light refreshments and water, they will also carry a stock of spare parts for your bike as well as a spare bike in case of total breakdown.

Transport

Depending upon where you spend your first night, we can put you up in either Whitehaven, Penrith or Newcastle, we will supply you with transport to the start of the route or from the end of the route back to your vehicle, train station or airport. We operate two fully licenced 8 seater large minibuses and cycle trailers so that your ride across is in comfort.

Accommodation

Unlike some other operators, we only use good quality, cycle friendly, ensuite accommodation that is on, or close to the cycle route. All accommodation is on a Bed & Breakfast basis with a full cooked breakfast and vegetarian options always available. We also try and ensure that there is always somewhere close by to have a decent evening meal and some light refreshments. Prices are based on twin or double rooms with Single room options available (may be subject to an additional charge) You can have your first night in Whitehaven, Penrith or Newcastle.

Route Maps and Route Notes

You will be given a genuine copy of the Sustrans Sea to Sea Cycle route map to use throughout the ride and to keep for posterity. You will also get general information about the route, detailed maps of where your accommodation is each night, a list of cycle repair shops along the route along with other emergency contact numbers in case of any major or minor mishaps. We will also send you out a recommended list of what we believe you will require for your ride.

Emergency Recovery

If you do have a disaster and are totally stuck, either physically, mentally or mechanically, then we offer an emergency recovery service (up to 4 hour response) to get you off the route and to safety. May be chargeable depending upon circumstances.

Certificate of Completion

We all like a “trophy” to prove that we’ve done something! At Pedal Power we will give everyone who completes the ride a signed and dated Certificate of Completion to prove to those doubters back at home that you did do it, we will also take photos at the start and finish of the ride of individuals and groups as required.

Baggage transfers

We will pick-up your bag each day (1 bag per person, up to 15kg) label it and transfer it on to your next nights accommodation. If you have additional bags that you require transferred or bags that you want stored we can happily do that for you as well.

MAP & LOCATION

Itinerary

Suggested 4 day itinerary (South to North). Please remember this is your holiday, we can tailor
any package to fit your requirements and agenda.

Day 1 - Arrive Newcastle

Newcastle has a main line train station, trains from London take around 3 hours and are generally direct.

There is long stay car parking in several of the municipal carparks in Newcastle, charges are around £8.00 /day (24hrs), if you are staying in Tynemouth, we have an arrangement with a local business for free parking for the duration of your trip.

Newcastle is one of the major cities in the UK and as such there is plenty to occupy you in and around the area.

Day 2 – Newcastle/Tynemouth to Warkworth (46 miles / 74ms)

The day starts with the obligatory photo at the start point at Newcastle Quayside to Tynemouth Priory (our preferred start point) From here you will basically follow the coastline with the sea on your right all the way up to Warkworth.

One the way you will pass through some industrial areas around Blyth, before you hit the open road in earnest and take the off road tracks to the stunning beach at Druridge Bay and nature reserve, from here it’s a short ride to the fishing port of Amble and a 10 minute ride up the side of the River Coquet to Warkworth, you will see the castle on the skyline. Overnight in Warkworth, there are some lovely walks along the river.

Day 3 – Warkworth to Holy Island (43 miles / 69kms)

Today you will start to see the true beauty of Northumberland, firstly the picturesque painted village of Alnmouth, then follow the coastline to Craster (worth a short detour into the fishing village, famous for its kippers).

Back on route, you will follow quiet country lanes until you reach the imposing castle at Bamburgh, allow yourself some time to walk all around the castle, the views of the castle from the beach are stunning. There is a short climb out of the village to Belford, then it’s downhill to your overnight stay on Holy Island. BE AWARE OF THE CROSSING TIMES!

A walk around the island in the evening is a must, visit the castle and the priory.

Day 4 – Holy Island to Dunbar (46 miles / 74kms)

Ride off the island (when the tides allow you to) and head north once again, be aware the first section to Goswick is very sandy and not really suitable for road bikes. Follow the route to Berwick upon Tweed which is surrounded by a fortified way.

You then cross the A1 main road and pick up the Route 76 which takes you over the border in to Scotland and down to the fishing port of Eyemouth. The coastal route is dotted with little villages and inlets until you reach your overnight destination of Dunbar.

Day 5 – Dunbar to Edinburgh (30 miles / 46kms)

It’s a nice flat ride today, through East Linton, Haddington and Musselborough before reaching Edinburgh.

DATES & PRICES

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Generally our package deals are “bespoke” to the individuals, however please find detailed below some of our more standard requests, though we can tailor any package to your requirements:

No of Riders

No of Nights

No of days riding

Price

2

3

3

£375

Up to 4

3

3

£345

Up to 8

3

3

£325

2

4

4

£445

Up to 4

4

4

£415

Up to 8

4

4

£395

2

5

5

£525

Up to 4

5

5

£495

Up to 8

5

5

£475

Single room

£25.00/night

Solo Rider supplement

+50%

Cycle Hire – Giant Escape or Giant Alight Hybrid – 3 days

£75.00

Additional days

+£20.00/day

Electri Bike Hire – 3 days

£125.00

Additional days

+£30.00/day

– Prices are based on 2 people sharing a twin or double ensuite room on a B&B basis and includes baggage transfers, maps, route notes, emergency recovery and transfers

– For numbers greater than 8 or for families sharing a family room please call

– Additional nights before or after, or stop overs during your trip can be added

– We can tailor any package to fit your specific requirements

We do offer discounts for family groups with younger children where they are sharing a family room – just contact us to find out more!

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